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FACT SHEETS

MAKING A LAW A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one is called a bill (see Bills and Laws).

THE usual PATH of a BILL A bill can only become a law if it is passed by a majority vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill must be agreed to in identical form by both chambers, and given Royal Assent by the Governor-General. It is then known as an Act of Parliament.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1ST READING

• 1st reading—the bill is introduced to the House of Representatives.

2ND READING

• 2nd reading—members debate and vote on the main idea of the bill. • House committee*—public inquiry into thebill and reporting back to the House. • Consideration in detail*—members discuss the bill in detail, including any changes to the bill.

House committee*

Stages of a bill Most bills are introduced into the House of Representatives and then sent to the Senate. Bills may commence in the Senate, except for money and taxation bills. Most bills are introduced by government ministers; however, other members of parliament can introduce their own bills, known as private members’ or private senators’ bills.

Duration and number ofbills It may take weeks or even months for a bill to pass through Parliament. However, an urgent bill can be passed in a matter of days. About 200 bills are introduced into Parliament each year and about 90percent are passed intolaw.

History The practice of the Clerk reading the bill aloud three times dates back to the early days of the British Parliament, before printing was invented or many people could read. The Clerk had to read the bill aloud so that members of parliament knew what the bill wasabout.

Consideration in detail* 3RD READING

• 3rd reading—members vote on the bill in its finalform.

BILL IS PASSED

• The bill is passed in the House of Representatives and sent to theSenate.

Senate referral

• The Senate may refer the text of the bill to a Senate committee for inquiry (this can happen while the bill is in the House).

SENATE 1ST READING 2ND READING Senate committee* Committee of the whole* 3RD READING

• 1st reading—the bill is introduced to the Senate. • 2nd reading—senators debate and vote on the main idea of the bill. • Senate committee*—public inquiry into thebill and reporting back to the Senate. • Committee of the whole*—senators discuss the bill in detail, including any changes to the bill. • 3rd reading—senators vote on the bill in its final form. • The bill is passed in the Senate.

BILL IS PASSED

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

LINKS PEO website Fact Sheet: Amendments www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/amendments.html APH website House of Representatives Infosheet: Making laws www.tinyurl.com/Infosheet7 Senate Brief: The Senate and Legislation www.aph.gov.au/Senate/briefs/brief08

Royal Assent by the Governor-General

• Royal Assent—TheGovernor-General signs the bill. • Bill becomes an Act of Parliament— a law forAustralia.

BILL BECOMES AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT

FACT SHEETS – produced by the Parliamentary Education Office | www.peo.gov.au

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